badly

adverb

bad·​ly ˈbad-lē How to pronounce badly (audio)
Synonyms of badlynext
1
: in a bad manner
played badly
2
: to a great or intense degree
want something badly
see also:
badly off for not badly think badly of

Synonyms of badly

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Examples of badly in a Sentence

He played badly but I played even worse. The failure reflects badly on the administration. She wanted the job badly. I'm badly in need of a vacation. His fingers were badly frozen.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Osman has been vocal about a string of Minneapolis shootings this summer that have left some young people dead others badly hurt. — Esme Murphy, CBS News, 31 July 2026 The lionfish's poisonous spikes can badly hurt anyone who’s stung. — ABC News, 30 July 2026 Mbaye remembered cutting his hand badly enough to require eight stitches. — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 In September 2020, when Covid vaccines were still a few months from being rolled out, Paul argued during a Senate hearing that New York — badly hit early in the pandemic — had achieved herd immunity. — Helen Branswell, STAT, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for badly

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of badly was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing badly

Rhymes for badly

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Browse Nearby Words

bad luck
badly
badly off
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Cite this Entry

“Badly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/badly. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

badly

adverb
bad·​ly ˈbad-lē How to pronounce badly (audio)
worse
ˈwərs
 ; worst
ˈwərst
1
: in a bad manner
played badly
2
: very much
wanted the jeans badly

More from Merriam-Webster on badly

Nglish: Translation of badly for Spanish Speakers

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